Senators Say No To Immunity Time Not Yet Ripe For It, Inquiry Members Agree

December 18, 1986|By Chris Reidy, Sentinel Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — The Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday rejected President Reagan's request to grant limited immunity to key figures in the Iran-contra affair.

The chairman of the new special Senate inquiry committee also indicated that it would be premature to grant immunity to Vice Adm. John Poindexter, the former national security adviser, and his assistant, Lt. Col. Oliver North.

The Senate Intelligence Committee continued its closed hearings, taking testimony from Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and Attorney General Edwin Meese.

Weinberger discussed allegations that the Iranians were grossly overcharged in the secret weapons sales. He made no comment upon leaving the hearing, and the substance of his testimony was not learned.

For his part, Meese generally elaborated on the account of events he first gave Nov. 25, when he disclosed that profits from the arms sales had been diverted to the contras of Nicaragua.

Meanwhile, at the White House, Nancy Reagan said that ''now it's up to North and Poindexter'' to resolve the matter.

The first lady said of President Reagan, ''There's nothing more that he can do.''

Spokesman Larry Speakes expressed disappointment over the rejection of the immunity request.

Between sessions with Weinberger and Meese, the Intelligence Committee discussed the calls for granting limited immunity, and the consensus was that it was too early to make such an offer to witnesses, said Chairman David Durenberger, R-Minn.

After three weeks of hearings, Durenberger said, Meese's first accounting of events had not been disproved.

''With regard to the contra conversion,'' Durenberger said, ''it is quite clear in my mind at this stage that there is absolutely no evidence that Ollie North operated under anybody's authority.''

Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the committee's ranking Democrat, said that he is still not convinced that North could have devised and implemented such a complex scheme by acting alone.

It is expected that the Intelligence Committee will conclude this phase of the investigation today, recalling Robert McFarlane, the former national security adviser. His version of the facts differs from the administration line.

As the investigation continues, the special committee will supersede the Intelligence Committee.

The special committee met for the first time Wednesday in an informal session to outline the plan of attack. The committee will not be set up formally until the new Congress convenes and approves legislation.

At a press conference, Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, said the committee's investigation will be bipartisan, thorough and take time. He said he did not expect the first public committee hearing until February.

Noting that ''adversary nations'' often seek to exploit weakened presidencies, Inouye said that he was troubled that ''the president is already convicted'' by leaks, rumors and innuendoes. ''The present situation is potentially explosive and dangerous.''

Inouye said later that he was ''not convinced that the president is guilty of anything.''

As for the special commmittee's investigation, Inouye said, ''I can assure you it is not going to be a fishing expedition or a witch hunt. We're not in the business of running a circus.''

Inouye said the committee may offer immunity to witnesses but that a decision would not be reached until he first consulted with the independent counsel -- not yet chosen and announced.

Just when it was that Meese learned of the diversion of arms-sale money has emerged as a potential issue.

He has said he became aware of it a few days before he disclosed Nov. 25 that the Iran arms sale was linked to money for the contras.

The New York Daily News reported that CIA Director William Casey sent a memo to Meese in early October, informing him of suspicions about improperly diverted money.

A CIA spokesman dismissed the Daily News story, and Meese also denied getting any early warning.

One member of the Intelligence Committee, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said Congress should set in motion the procedures for granting immunity to North and Poindexter.

By law, there is a 10-day notification period, and while it may be premature to grant immunity now, the situation could change in a week and a half, Specter said.